Yoshio Gotoh
Consultant - Illinois, USA

Yoshio has rich experience, having worked more than 40 years with US and Japanese companies in North America as employee and employer. He began his career in Sales at Blue Sea Line and Pan American World Airways in New York City. He then moved to Flying Tiger Lines in Los Angeles, where he served as Director of International Sales and Services, responsible for development of the then newly-awarded commercial traffic rights between the U.S. and Asia. Yoshio then became an entrepreneur, founding and operating Trader Pacific International, Gotoh Distribution Service, and SIG Logistics. After Gotoh Distribution Services was sold to Itochu in 2000, he worked closely with Itochu and saw this major Japanese trading company from inside.

Yoshio has experience working with Japanese executives in North America and Japan from junior to top level in the areas of operation, marketing and sales, customer services, supply chain management, human resources, legal, accounting and finances and others. He has experience coaching in areas including strategic and tactical project planning and market development. He is also particularly skilled at helping Japanese understand American culture, including issues regarding prevention of sexual harassment and discrimination.

Yoshio has a strong interest in the issues facing minority-owned companies. He became a board member of the Chicago Minority Business Development Council in 1997, and since 2001 has served as Executive Board Member and Officer. He was Co-Chairman for the 39th annual Chicago Business Opportunity Fair in 2006, and is Chairman for the 40th fair to be held in 2007. Yoshio has advised both minority-owned companies that are supplying Japanese companies and Japanese companies that are purchasing from minority-owned companies. He is also able to assist Japanese executives become better aware of the importance of supplier diversity in the U.S.

Yoshio holds a BA from Westminster Choir College and an MBA from Pepperdine University. In parallel to his business career, he has also been active in the music world, including participating in the Westminster Choir and Chicago Symphony Chorus.

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